Handle assembly for an architectural covering

Abstract

A handle assembly is provided. The handle may include first and second portions. The first portion may define a gripping feature and may include a rear surface. The second portion may extend from the rear surface of the first portion and may be configured to couple the handle to a rail of the architectural covering without the need for additional fixing elements.

1 . An architectural covering comprising:
 a shade member adapted and configured to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position, said shade member including a height, a width, a front surface, and a rear surface; and   a rail attached to said shade member and including a front wall having a front surface corresponding to said front surface of said shade member, a rear wall having a rear surface corresponding to said rear surface of said shade member, and an elongated slot defined through said front wall of said rail;   wherein said elongated slot is dimensioned and configured to receive a substantially planar component of a handle such that insertion of said planar component into said elongated slot couples said handle to said rail without use of additional coupling elements.   
     
     
         2 . The architectural covering of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is selected from one of a first, plug type handle and a second, gripping handle that is sized and configured differently from said first, plug type handle. 
     
     
         3 . The architectural covering of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of said first, plug type handle and said second, gripping handle includes a first portion arranged and configured to be gripped by a user, and a second portion extending from a rear surface of said first portion, said second portion including said planar component;   said planar component of said first, plug type handle is arranged and configured to be inserted into said elongated slot independent of said planar component of said second, gripping handle; and   said planar component of said second, gripping handle is arranged and configured to be inserted into said elongated slot independent of said planar component of said first, plug type handle so that said first and second handles are selectively and independently inserted into said elongated slot.   
     
     
         4 . The architectural covering of  claim 2 , wherein said handle is said first, plug type handle, said plug type handle including a first portion and a second portion extending from a rear surface of said first portion, said second portion including said planar component, said planar component being dimensionally sized to frictionally couple said elongated slot so that said plug type handle is coupled to said rail without use of additional coupling elements. 
     
     
         5 . The architectural covering of  claim 4 , wherein said first portion is dimensionally sized to conceal said elongated slot when said plug type handle is coupled to said rail. 
     
     
         6 . The architectural covering of  claim 4 , wherein said rear surface of said plug type handle is arranged and configured to abuttingly contact said front surface of said rail, said rear surface being arranged and configured to conceal said elongated slot so that said elongated slot is concealed when said plug type handle is coupled to said rail. 
     
     
         7 . The architectural covering of  claim 4 , wherein said planar component of said plug type handle includes a plank and a plurality of gussets extending from said plank. 
     
     
         8 . The architectural covering of  claim 2 , wherein said handle is said second, gripping handle, said gripping handle including a first portion and a second portion extending from a rear surface of said first portion, said second portion including said planar component, said planar component including a deformable section arranged and configured to deform upon insertion into said elongated slot to hold said gripping handle to said rail without any additional coupling elements. 
     
     
         9 . The architectural covering of  claim 8 , wherein said first portion of said gripping handle is dimensionally sized to conceal said elongated slot when said gripping handle is coupled to said rail. 
     
     
         10 . The architectural covering of  claim 9 , wherein said rear surface of said gripping handle is adapted and configured to abuttingly contact said front surface of said rail, said rear surface being sized and configured to conceal said elongated slot when said gripping handle is coupled to said rail. 
     
     
         11 . The architectural covering of  claim 8 , wherein said planar component of said gripping handle includes a variable width such that said gripping handle is adapted and configured to latching engage said rail. 
     
     
         12 . The architectural covering of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said elongated slot includes a first width; and   said variable width of said planar component of said gripping handle includes a second width and a third width, said second width of said variable width of said planar component of said gripping handle being less than said first width of said elongated slot; and   said third width of said variable width of said planar component of said gripping handle being greater than said first width of said elongated slot to secure said second handle to said rail.   
     
     
         13 . The architectural covering of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said elongated slot includes a first width and a relatively narrow height;   said planar component of said gripping handle includes a pair of resiliently deformable coupling mechanisms configured such that upon insertion of said resiliently deformable coupling mechanisms within said elongated slot said gripping handle is coupled to said rail.   
     
     
         14 . The architectural covering of  claim 13 , wherein said pair of resiliently deformable coupling mechanisms extend laterally from said planar component of said gripping handle to define a variable width of said planar component of said gripping handle, said variable width varying between a first width and a second width, said first width being sized for insertion of said planar component of said gripping handle through said elongated slot, said second width being larger than said first width such that upon insertion of said resiliently deformable coupling mechanisms through said elongated slot said resiliently deformable coupling mechanisms contact an inner surface of said rail. 
     
     
         15 . An architectural covering including a shade member adapted and configured to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position, the architectural covering comprising:
 a rail including a top surface adapted and configured to be coupled with a portion of the shade member and a front wall having a front surface transverse to said top surface, said front wall including an elongated slot defined therethrough; and   a handle selected from one of a first handle and a second handle, said first handle including a first interior portion adapted and configured for insertion into said elongated slot and a first exterior portion extending from the first interior portion for gripping by a user; said second handle including a second interior portion adapted and configured for insertion into said elongated slot and a second exterior portion extending from the second interior portion for gripping by the user;   wherein:
 said first exterior portion has a first depth front to back in a direction transverse to said rail, said second exterior portion has a second depth front to back in a direction transverse to said rail that is significantly greater than the first depth; 
 said elongated slot is dimensioned and configured to receive either (1) said first interior portion of said first handle for coupling said first handle to said rail; or (2) said second interior portion of said second handle for coupling said second handle to said rail; 
 said elongated slot is configured to receive the first interior portion of the first handle independent of the second interior portion of the second handle; and 
 said elongated slot is configured to receive the second interior portion of the second handle independent of the first interior portion of the first handle so that said elongated slot independently receives either the first or the second handle. 
   
     
     
         16 . The architectural covering of  claim 15 , wherein said first exterior portion of said first handle is substantially flush with said rail when said first interior portion of said first handle is inserted into said slot. 
     
     
         17 . The architectural covering of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said first interior portion of said first handle includes a first coupling mechanism arranged and configured to be selectively inserted and removed from said slot in said rail; and   said second handle includes a second coupling mechanism different from said first coupling mechanism, said second coupling mechanism is adapted and configured so that insertion of said second interior portion into said slot snap fits said second handle to said rail.   
     
     
         18 . The architectural covering of  claim 17 , wherein:
 said first interior portion of said first handle is adapted and configured to frictionally couple said first handle to said rail upon insertion within said slot; and   said second interior portion of said second handle is adapted and configured to couple said second handle to said rail upon insertion through said slot such that a portion of said second interior portion contacts an inner surface of said rail.